After the January 3 election, Mr. Solana expects a "dynamic development" of EU/Croatian Relations - According to members of Bonino List, Croatia should ask for immediate accession to EU

06/01/2000 (Agence Europe)

Questioned on the results of the January 3 general election in Croatia, which saw a crushing victory for the opposition, High Representative for the Cfsp Javier Solana announced, "I welcome the outcome of the Parliamentary elections in Croatia and am encouraged by their democratic character. I am confident the Croatia's future policies will be clearly oriented towards Europe and European values. I expect rapid progress in democratic and economic reform and in the fulfilment of Croatia's international commitments. The European Union for its part is prepared to strengthen and develop its relations with Croatia. I look forward to a dynamic development of these relations in the near future. Croatia has an important role to play in the stability of Central and South Eastern Europe. It has the potential to contribute to the political and economic development of the region."

The Portuguese presidency published on 5 January the following declaration: "The European Union welcomes the parliamentary elections held in the Republic of Croatia, on the 3rd of January 2000. These elections, which the international observers considered to have been conducted in a calm and orderly manner, with the voters able to express their political will freely, may represent a significant step towards drawing Croatia closer to the perspective of full integration into European structures. The EU congratulates the peoples of Croatia for the democratic manner in which the elections have been conducted and calls for al political forces to respect and honour the electoral results. The EU reaffirms its readiness to develop and intensify its co-operation with the Republic of Croatia, should the future government pursue meaning full reforms, deepening its democratic institutions, strengthening its respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, carrying through economic reforms and take measures leading to

ethnic reconciliation and regional peace and stability." (Unofficial translation).

As for the MEPs Marco Pannella, Emma Bonino and Olivier Dupuis they assured in a statement that "the main task that awaits the leaders of the new majority is to bring Croatia, without delay, into the European Union, starting with the immediate request for membership to the Union." According to the members of the Bonino List, this task will be "much harder than could be believed as she will, most probably, face the resistance or indifference of a good part of a European political "establishment" free from all political intentions worthy of this name in the eyes of the former members of Yugoslavia."